Irrigation New Zealand is on a three-day tour of Otago to learn more about the region's water challenges.
"We're aware how important irrigation is in this part of the country, with its low rainfall, but we want to hear more about what irrigators see as the challenges in this area," the irrigation body's chief executive, Andrew Curtis, said.
"As well as touring the region, we want to explain to stakeholders a bit about what we do - what our role is," he said.
The national irrigation body represents all irrigation interests - irrigators and traders involved in the industry.
The tour party includes Mr Curtis, business manager Chris Coughlin, chairman Graeme Sutton and several board members.
It will meet the Otago Regional Council today and then meet representatives from several irrigation companies tonight in Ranfurly.
Tomorrow, it will visit the Maniototo and Mt Ida irrigation schemes, hold a meeting in St Bathans and stop at several other schemes on the way to Alexandra.
A meeting in Earnscleugh tomorrow evening, starting at 7pm in the Earnscleugh Hall, is open to anyone involved in the irrigation industry.
The tour will move to Cromwell and the North Otago region on Thursday to meet more water groups.
Mr Curtis said there was a misconception that the irrigation body focused only on Canterbury and its water issues.
